FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters Initiative Achieves Fifth Arrest in Three Months
The FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters initiative secured its fifth arrest in a span of three months. Authorities in India apprehended Manjit Singh Bedi on Friday. The bureau is now working on his extradition to the United States for alleged SNAP benefits fraud, as reported by Fox News Digital.
The FBI, in collaboration with Indian authorities, managed Bedi’s arrest. They are actively organizing his return to the U.S. to face charges. This arrest is part of the FBI’s initiative targeting fugitives accused of significant financial crimes.
Introduced in June, this initiative has led to the capture of five fugitives accused of collectively committing fraud worth more than $2 billion. They had evaded capture for a total of nearly 4,000 days combined.
An undated FBI photo shows Manjit Singh Bedi, who reportedly defrauded the U.S. government of at least $600,000 via a SNAP benefits fraud scheme before escaping to India.
The recent arrest highlights the bureau’s commitment to pursuing alleged fraudsters fleeing overseas to elude justice. FBI Director Kash Patel conveyed to Fox News Digital that capturing five on the Most Wanted Fraudsters list in three months marks a unique success for their efforts.
Patel highlighted that the suspects are allegedly responsible for over $2 billion in fraud, having spent nearly 4,000 days on the run. He declared, “The days of exploiting American taxpayers without facing consequences are over.”
Federal agents claim Bedi swindled the U.S. government of at least $600,000 through a SNAP fraud scheme between March 2024 and June 2025. He reportedly operated an Asian grocery in Tacoma, Washington.
Bedi allegedly misused SNAP recipients’ EBT cards, exchanging cash for eligible food purchases while retaining roughly half of the benefits for himself. After being indicted, Bedi was instructed to surrender his passport and remain within Washington state pending court procedures. However, he reportedly crossed the Canadian border and fled to India. On May 21, 2026, a federal warrant charged him with violating his release conditions.
The FBI announced a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to Bedi’s arrest and conviction. Bedi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was believed to reside in India before his capture.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division emphasized the agency’s global reach, ensuring accountability for fraudsters regardless of their location. He stated that the Fraud Division would continue collaborating with the FBI to bring individuals like Bedi to justice.
The FBI remains committed to returning Bedi to face charges in the United States.